Monday is my day for the big MRI. I have overcome a lot of my fears over the past several years since being dx, but the MRI lockdown is still one that gets to me.

I dont mind the noise. I DO mind how cold it is in there.

It seems that everytime i get there, its something else. Once, I was mid MRI when the power went out! yep! my worst fear. I barely had time to say "did the lights go out?" when I felt at least 2 people at my feet, stroking my legs, telling me I was fine, and they were right there.

Once I showed up and they just couldnt get the machine situated. I got locked, and relocked into that stupid headgear thing. After about 4 tries, they took me down to the basement area, and I was bumped to the head of the line for the traveling MRI machine.

Once I got locked into position, and it took several tries for them to slide the table out again. She said she had never seen anything like it.

I could go on and on.

Another issue, i have really bad veins. They used to try to slide me out, and do the GAD stick, and it takes FOREVER! its so cold in there, they simply cannot find a workable vein. Now I have an IV line planted in advance, so I no longer have to worry about it. I used to welcome the chance to be slid out of the machine, even if long enough to poke me. now they just leave me in there.

I HATE HATE HATE being locked to the table, and knowing that silly thing is almost on top of my nose! its like being buried.

Can you please help calm me? Tell me some of your stories? tell me some of your tricks on how to cope? What do you do to prepare or get through your MRI? Im scared!

I've had more than 12 so I have it down to a routine:

I take my own earplugs because they are the soft comfortable kind.

I take my own slipper sox because my feet get cold and shoes are uncomfortable.

I also take a thermos of coffee to drink on the way home. I shower and wash my hair but don't bother drying or styling it and no styling products.

I ask for a blanket because those tubes are cold and I ask the tech to please let me know what she is doing which calms me.

Oh yeah; tell them you want a pediatric needle.

Hope that helps.

Why are you even having to go through an MRI? With all of your problems, I would refuse to go through it unless there is a justifiable reason.

gmi

I listen to music that has an upbeat tempo before the MRI, then replay that music mentally in time to the pulses of the noise. I just let the noise be the percussion section. Stuff from blue man group, daft punk, etc is good for that. Other than that, I usually schedule it as early in the morning as I can so that I am still tired, and I usually sleep through about half of it.

I have mine Monday morning too. I'm not so much worried about getting the damn thing as I am what it might find! Here's to smooth sailin'!

For the MRI, I wear sweats and ask them for a blanket to help keep the cold at bay. The scrubs they offer just aren't warm enough.

I take my own muzak that they can play for me, or if I forget to bring a CD they can pipe in local radio stations.

I have to keep my eyes closed the whole time or I freak. Gonna see what happens with the one on tuesday, since they prescribed valium to see if that will help with involuntary movement.

I'm a bad stick too. My family all has rolling veins, so that part can be fun for both me and the tech. I drink plenty of fluids the evening before to try to help with that.

Crossing fingers that this one goes better for ya.

Have a strong cocktail or a Valium..

I like having having the tech talk to me with a "play by play" of throughout the procedure so I know how much longer each image will take, what noises I should expect, etc. I also use "visualization" techniques to imagine myself in a place that is beautiful and comfortable....which is usually on a beach hearing the waves crashing and birds chirping, with a really 'HOT' cabana boy delivering me a nice cold coctail!

I have a Glioma that they are tracking, and they count lesions. I have been considered UNstable, and they want to see if the Copaxone has had any calming effect at all. The glioma is the reason for the 6 month runs though. They want to be sure they know if its growing, or changing. I felt that was a justifiable reason to lay back down in the tube.

Great Idea Sal. I am being given some Ativan before hand. I normally take xanax here at the house, and they feel the ativan is better because I am not used to it, and it helps calm differently from what they say. Its still really hard to lay down with your head in a cage, and trapped for 50 minutes to one hour.

I had forgotton about asking for a play by play. That does help. A blanket will help, and they dont do music there. They say there is something wrong with the system each and every time I have gone. Their ear phones are always rickety, and wobbly.

These suggestions are helpful, keep um coming.